How Teachers Can Recognize the Signs of Stress in Students
Teachers play a pivotal role in the life of children. Not only are they responsible for teaching them the foundations of a variety of topics and subjects, but they work to encourage, inspire and motivate kids daily. It’s all about prepping them for their future, which is made up of more than just a career.
With that said, teachers also need to be tuned in where the mental health of students is concerned. This means knowing what the signs of stress are in a child so that you can act quickly and appropriately. Here are some of the ways teachers can recognize the signs of stress in their students.
You See the Student Start to Withdraw
This particular sign can be one of the first red flags you notice and that’s a student pulling away or withdrawing from their friends and participating in class. This will be more noticeable in students who previously were very active and social in the classroom.
There Can be Physical Signs of Stress
Did you know that stress can also cause physical symptoms that make the child sick? This can include chronic headaches, stomach pain and discomfort and even muscles aches and pains. The fact is that stress does a number on a person’s immune system, leaving them more susceptible to catching illnesses.
Their Emotions are All Over the Place
A child who is stressed may also appear to have emotions that are all over the place. They can go from happy to sad in the snap of a finger and they may get over-emotional in situations that don’t warrant that kind of response. Some examples can include:
- The child is quick to lose their temper
- They yell when losing their temper
- They are overly anxious.
- They cry often
- They are irritable
- They don’t have a lot of patience
- They seem to have a hard time controlling and regulating their mood
Because their emotions are swaying from one extreme to the other, it can leave them feeling scared and frustrated, unsure of what they should do.
What Can be Done About It?
While it’s important to recognize the signs of stress, the emphasis should be on reducing and even eliminating it so that it never spirals out of control. Kids should be encouraged to use stress-busting techniques and tools such as learning meditation, which can be done throughout the day to calm themselves down.
Teachers also need to keep parents in the loop and let them know if there are any concerns. Speaking to the parents/caregivers can help shed light on what is happening. This also allows for everyone to be on the same page when it comes to how the stress will be addressed.
Recognizing the Signs of Stress in Students
Teaching kids how to deal with anxiety while they are young to avoid increased anxiety. Over three-quarters of university students stating they hide mental health symptoms.
- 42% of university students experience a serious psychological issue for which they felt they needed professional help.
- The same percentage of students accessed counseling support last year, indicating that help is readily available at university.
- In January 2021, 63% of students said their mental health had worsened since the start of the academic year.
- 58% of students who struggle to manage their money say it affects their mental health negatively.
Understanding and managing anxiety is key to reducing issues related to stress as students move through their educational life.
Children, teens and young adults of any age need to learn how to:
- Understand and embrace anxiety triggers
- Learn Coping techniques and how to prepare for life in halls
- How to deal with financial pressures
- Managing academic pressures
- Discover the importance of a healthy lifestyle
Knowing what the signs of stress look like will help you to be a teacher that is tuned in and helps your students in every way possible. Just remember – the sooner you spot the red flags and act upon them, the better the outcome will be.
